RIF had heavy rotation here for ages after it came out; revisiting the past week after a few months and I still love the album. It is infused with so much wonderful melody, in parts the poppiest they've been but that melody tied to memorable songs. International Blue/Distant Colours/Hold Me Like a Heaven can be quite euphoric. Nickys The Left Behind is also one of the records highest points.
My favourite Manics is loud, raucous Manics but over the years albums like Lifeblood, Postcards and RIF have proven timeless in their own way. Postcards was like Tigers done right, RIF exceeds both in terms of the melodic, stadium filling widescreen melancholia.
RIFs bonus tracks are magic, particularly Soundtrack to Complete Withdrawal.
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